Stray Dogs

This page summarises the stray dog service. It tells what we do when a stray dog is reported and lists the costs to recover a stray dog after we have collected it. It includes advice for dog owners on how to give their dogs identification so they can be reunited with their owner quickly if they do stray. There is a link to another page with more detail about dog identification and also information to owners about preventing their dogs from straying.

What is a stray dog?

A stray is simply any dog without its owner present, or a dog with its owner not in control. Although some dogs are actually abandoned by their owners, most stray dogs are family pets that have escaped. Dogs that have been let out to exercise themselves, rather than be walked by their owners, are also classed as strays.

What happens if my dog strays?

If the dog has not strayed before and we find it has either proper dog identification or we have a record of a found dog that matches the description of the lost dog, we will try to contact the owner during normal office hours. If we are unable to contact the owner, the dog will be taken to the kennels that we use. If we do contact the owner, he or she may then reclaim the dog from the council offices on payment of the appropriate fee. This service is only available up to 4:00 p.m. on the day the dog is picked up, as we do not have the facilities at the offices to look after the dog overnight. After 4:00 p.m. the dog will be taken immediately to the kennels.

In the following cases, the dog will be taken immediately to the kennels that we use:

• We can find no ID on the dog

• The dog has ID but has strayed before

• The dog has ID but is not collected by its owner by 4.00 p.m. on the day it is seized

At evenings and weekends, there is an emergency stray dog collection service only. The purpose of this service is to remove any danger to the public, to motorists and of course to the dog itself. As this is an emergency service, it does not include returning a dog to its owner, but the possibility of immediate danger will be removed by taking the dog to the kennels, where it will be looked after safely until it can be collected.

Getting your dog back from the kennels

You must pay the appropriate fees and obtain a release form from us. It is then your responsibility to take the release form to the kennels and collect your dog. You have 7 days to do this. After 7 days, the kennels will seek to re-home your dog.

The cost of getting your dog back

We are allowed to charge reasonable costs for dealing with your dog, plus a fee set by regulations. These fees are £25 plus:-

• £10 if we do not take your dog to the kennels or
• £25 if we do take your dog to the kennels or
• £25 if your dog has strayed before,
• kennelling fees, currently £10 per day or part of a day and
• any vets fees, including medication if your dog requires treatment

These costs must be paid to us before you can reclaim your dog from the kennels.

Examples of payments

• Your dog strays and you are able to reclaim it before we take it to the kennels. You pay £35.
• Your dog strays more than once and you are able to reclaim it before we take it to the kennels. You pay £50 each time it strays.
• Your dog strays and we take it to the kennels. You pay £50 plus £10 for each day, or part of a day, that it spends at the kennels.

What to do to prevent your dog straying

• Make sure your garden is secure, with no escape routes.
• Do not leave your front door open.
• Train your dog to return when it is off its lead.
• Fit your dog with proper dog identification, such as a collar and tag or an electronic micro-chip.